Mark Timothy Colyer

Mark Timothy Colyer

Mark Timothy Colyer, 70, passed away peacefully at his home in Florence, Montana on Sunday June 8th, 2025 after a brief illness. Mark was born in Paradise, Montana on January 10th, 1955. Two sisters quickly followed, and they and his older brother moved to Missoula in 1959. Before they were unpacked and settled, another brother followed.

Mark and his siblings and friends enjoyed a typical childhood in Missoula in the 60’s, which is to say GREAT. He grew up on the “West Side,” north of the river and south of the tracks, as they say. Summers in particular were special -- up early to deliver newspapers, then home for breakfast and out of the house for the day with all the essentials – bike, BB gun, firecrackers, swim goggles, friends, etc. Mark stole his fair share of smokes and kisses in this part of town. Dad’s shrill and loud whistle reeled everyone back to the house just after sundown.

His immediate family grew quickly adding a new sibling every couple of years, and eventually the house was overfull with a total of 11. Money of course was tight, but everyone was dry, warm, fed and very much loved. Mark attended SFX and Loyola Catholic schools, and as was not uncommon is those times, built lasting friendships with classmates that were together for all 12 years. He played basketball at Loyola, was elected student body president his senior year in 1973, and was named the Missoula County Student of The Year that year as well.

Following high school Mark worked part time at the paper mill in Frenchtown and completed the Business Management curriculum at the Missoula Vo-Tech College. He put that skillset to use buying into and managing Eight Ball Billiards for a decade or so. This spun off a side hustle of selling, covering, and repairing billiard tables around Western Montana until his passing.

The 1990’s brought major change to Mark’s life – he went to X-Ray school at St. Patrick Hospital and started a 30+ year career in the ever-changing world of radiology. He had the perfect personality for the medical field, as he could effortlessly put patients at ease with his smile and reassuring words.

About that same time, Mark had a brief marriage which yielded two sons who changed the trajectory of his life. As a working single Dad with an infant and a toddler, he leaned on family, and his parents Pat and Shirley went all in helping every day with whatever needed to be done. The results are in . . . Ross and Austin are two spectacular young men building families of their own. How lucky are their kids to have experienced Grampa Mark? He took that role seriously, beaming with pride and always sharing a story and a picture of one of “the grands.” Skyler and Maddox counted on “Papa” to be waiting at the bus stop after school, sometimes stopping by Linda Vista golf course for ice cream and a recap of their day on the way home. Other times, he drove from Florence to Lolo to walk Allyson home from school – which was across the street! Mark made friends everywhere, all the time, but his family was his world in every sense.

Mark loved his horses, and delighted in taking friends and family into the Bob Marshall on pack trips, or simply thrilling a niece by letting her saddle up and ride on his property in Florence. He had a long relationship with the Backcounty Horsemen, where he learned the fine art of packing from his friend Smoke. The only thing better than the trips were the stories, which oddly enough, took longer than the actual trips! Another of Mark’s side gigs was catering, mostly for friends and colleagues’ events, however he was quick to remind everyone he got a standing ovation from the Rolling Stones’ road crew for his meat loaf. And, of course, he hosted a BBQ to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Woodstock with “a couple hundred close friends”.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Pat and Shirley, sister Marella and nieces Erin Stojkov and Michaela Johnson. He is survived by two sons, Ross and his wife Shoni and their children Skyler and Maddox; and Austin and his wife Khaley and their children Allyson and Brayden. Surviving siblings are four brothers, Jim, Ken, Mike and Brendan Colyer; five sisters, Janis Stojkov, Marcia Montgomery, Kathleen Absec, Mary Johnson and Megan Kosena; their spouses, and 25 nieces and nephews.

“In riding a horse, we borrow freedom” – Helen Thompson

Happy Trails Partner, we were lucky to be part of your life.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to SFX Church or the Backcountry Horsemen